Bengaluru: Prolonged drought-like conditions left Karnataka’s power sector facing a three-way squeeze — depleted hydel generation, rising electricity demand and dwindling coal stocks at thermal power plants — but an aggressive push to secure coal for the state’s thermal power stations has provided a crucial buffer.As several states grapple with a similar power crunch, concerns over uninterrupted coal supplies added to uncertainty. But Karnataka moved quickly to secure 85 lakh tonnes of additional coal from multiple sources, ensuring a steady supply for its thermal power stations.Recent disruption in coal supplies to three major state-owned thermal power plants had raised concerns among energy department officials. The three plants — Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS), Ballari (BTPS) and Yermarus (YTPS), all located in the Raichur region and operated by Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd (KPCL) — were collectively receiving around 15 rakes of coal a day, with each rake carrying about 4,000 tonnes.However, supplies suddenly dropped to 10-11 rakes a day due to heavy rain and rising power demand in coal-producing states. This hit power generation.“Hydel units normally generate up to 40 million units during the monsoon but due to lack of rain, generation has been less than 10 million units,” an official said. “Thermal units, which were generating about 70-80 million units at the beginning of the monsoon, were forced to increase generation to over 100 million units a day. Given energy demands across the country, buying power would have been a costly affair. So, the govt instead decided to ensure a steady supply of coal.”After coal supplies declined, KPCL officials reportedly rushed to New Delhi to secure additional coal allocations. Negotiations with the coal ministry resulted in an additional allocation of 8.5 million tonnes over the existing quota.But while the Centre assured supply, Karnataka continues to face difficulties in procuring coal from Telangana.“Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL), which supplies about eight rakes, has almost halved supply,” an official said. “The firm said Telangana itself is reeling under severe drought, and it needs coal to meet a sharp rise in power demand. To balance this shortfall, we secured additional allocations from Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL) and Eastern Coalfields Ltd (ECL).”Officials say the additional 8.5 million tonnes will be sourced from six entities, with BCCL supplying the largest share of 30 lakh tonnes, followed by Central Coalfields Ltd (CCL) with 20 lakh tonnes. SCCL’s Naini mines in Odisha and ECL will supply 10 lakh tonnes each.Karnataka is expected to receive an additional 8.5 coal rakes a day, providing a vital fuel lifeline at a time when every unit of electricity is crucial. The urgency of the situation is evident from low coal stocks at the three thermal stations. On Sept 23, RTPS, BTPS and YTPS together had just 1.8 lakh tonnes of coal, sufficient for only around three days of operations at 85% plant load factor (PLF). RTPS and BTPS had barely two days of coal stocks, while YTPS had four days.The three plants consumed 59,130 tonnes of coal in a single day to generate 85 million units (MU) of electricity. Their combined PLF stood at 71%, with BTPS generating 32 MU at 78% PLF, YTPS producing 27 MU at 70% PLF and RTPS generating 26 MU at 63% PLF.
